In our previous article, The MLS Growth Opportunity: Winning the Next Generation of Fans, we argued that MLS's next phase of growth depends on attracting elite talent, identifying undervalued players, developing future stars, and placing players in the right markets.

This article explores that framework in practice by identifying eight players who could fit those objectives and help MLS strengthen its position within the American soccer market.

In his recent piece on MLS capital allocation, Luis Lugo states the problem and provides the solution: MLS wins by converting existing soccer fans into supporters, and it does that through three pillars — attracting prime talent, identifying undervalued players, and placing the right player in the right market.

This piece is about how you actually engineer that solution: the specific names, what their numbers mean in plain terms, and the US city each one should land in.

This is not throwing money at the best available under-25s and hoping.

It is signing players who fall into one of two buckets.

First, players who have won everything in Europe and for whom a fresh challenge and a new life make sense.

Second, players who still get picked for a top national team regardless of where they play their club football, because their manager rates them or their reputation carries the selection.

Think of Thiago Almada winning a World Cup while playing in MLS, or Ivan Toney holding his England place after moving to Saudi Arabia.

That national-team status is the stamp of approval that tells an American fan this player is genuinely elite — and even when it is partly reputation, MLS should capitalize on it.

Pair that caliber of player with a community already primed to adopt him, and you have the engine for the next phase of the league.

Two simple ideas run through this piece:

Every player's headline number is how many goals and assists they produce per full game played, counting open play only (penalties removed).

For scale, measured the same way across our dataset:

So when a player below projects well beyond those figures, he is meaningfully outperforming a typical MLS starter at his position.

Each player is compared against the baseline for his own role.

Modern data can estimate the quality of chances a player receives — essentially, how many goals an average player would score from those same opportunities.

When someone consistently scores more than that expectation, it signals genuine finishing skill rather than luck or good service.

That skill tends to travel when players change leagues.

Where a player scores below expectation, it is noted honestly as a potential concern.

Every number in this article represents a full-career average across all competitions, not a single cherry-picked season, and only includes players with enough matches played for the data to be meaningful.

MLS's current incoming transfer record belongs to Son Heung-min, at roughly $26.5 million.

Importantly, that was a marketing signing involving a 33-year-old superstar rather than a player in his prime.

That record was broken three times during 2025 alone, demonstrating that spending capacity is increasing rapidly.

However, MLS still operates below the $30–80 million range that many of the players in this article would likely command.

That gap is the opportunity.

MLS has already shown a willingness to spend record money for attention.

What it has not yet done is consistently spend for prime, proven international talent that simultaneously upgrades the team and activates a market.

And this is not a theoretical model.

MLS already buys undervalued players, develops them, and sells them to Europe at a profit.

The proof is at the end of this article.

The argument here is simply to execute that model more deliberately — and one price tier higher.

Every player below follows the same structure so you can skim it quickly:

These are the safest targets on the board. Each player combines proven production, strong pedigree, and a profile that can immediately improve both the sporting product and the league's ability to attract supporters.

Production: About 0.72 goals and assists per game — roughly 28 across a 39-game season, against a 16 average for MLS wingers — plus elite dribbling, over a large, trustworthy sample.

Honest Context: At Lyon before PSG he produced slightly lower numbers, so the talent predates Paris, but his very top-end production is partly a result of playing in the strongest attack in France.

Pedigree: A two-time Champions League winner with three French league titles. A proven winner, not a project.

Market Fit: A French star in a market with a large French-speaking population. New York's French, Haitian, and West African communities create a natural commercial fit.

Transfer Fee: The most expensive player on this board, valued around €70M.

Competition From Europe: At 23 and already a Champions League winner, he will have elite European interest.

Primary: New York City FC

Alternative: CF Montréal

Production: About 0.61 goals and assists per game — roughly 24 across a 39-game season — on one of the most proven samples on this list.

Pedigree: A United States international in his prime. He simultaneously improves the team and strengthens MLS's ability to attract American soccer fans.

Market Fit: His appeal comes from his national-team identity rather than local roots, making him a fit for major American soccer markets.

Role Commitment: His strongest production has come from wide positions. Clubs must deploy him correctly.

Competition From Europe: As a starting USMNT player, European clubs will continue monitoring him.

Primary: Chicago Fire or FC Dallas

Human Interest Alternative: LAFC (because of his brother Timothy Tillman)

Production: About 0.65 goals and assists per game — roughly 25 across a 39-game season — against a 20 average for MLS strikers.

Pedigree: A Spanish international with elite production at both club and international level.

Market Fit: Large Spanish-speaking and Hispanic audiences across multiple MLS markets create significant commercial upside.

Champions League Ambition: Ferran has never won the Champions League and may prefer staying in Europe to pursue that objective.

Roster Timing: The opportunity exists because Barcelona may eventually replace Lewandowski, but that opening is not guaranteed.

Primary: LA Galaxy

Alternatives: San Diego FC or Inter Miami CF

Production: About 0.73 goals and assists per game — roughly 28 across a 39-game season — on a deep and reliable sample.

Pedigree: A German international and Champions League-level performer.

Market Fit: One of the strongest market-fit opportunities on the board. Adeyemi's German and Nigerian heritage creates a natural connection with large Nigerian-American communities in key MLS markets.

Transfer Fee: His age and trajectory place him toward the top end of the market.

Competition From Europe: A 24-year-old international winger will attract significant European interest.

Primary: Atlanta United or Houston Dynamo

These players combine high-level production with strong underlying numbers. They may carry slightly more risk than the Tier 1 group, but they offer significant upside while remaining realistic targets.

Production: About 0.77 goals and assists per game — roughly 30 across a 39-game season — against a 20 average for MLS strikers.

Finishing Ability: He dramatically outperforms expected goals, making him one of the strongest finishers on this list. Finishing skill is one of the traits most likely to translate across leagues.

Pedigree: A full Turkish international already breaking through at a respected Bundesliga club.

Market Fit: While the Turkish-American population is smaller than some other diaspora groups, it remains large enough to create a meaningful community connection.

Transfer Fee: Frankfurt will likely demand a premium for a player on a clear upward trajectory.

Reasons He May Not Leave: Frankfurt competes for European qualification and trophies. A young international may prefer continuing his development in Germany.

Sustainability Question: His finishing numbers are so far above expectation that some regression should be expected over time.

Primary: Houston Dynamo or Chicago Fire

Production: About 0.76 goals and assists per game — roughly 30 across a 39-game season — against a 20 average for MLS strikers.

Pedigree: A two-time Champions League winner with PSG who has started for Portugal ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Genuine international pedigree.

Market Fit: Strong commercial potential within one of America's most concentrated Portuguese-American communities.

On-Field Weakness: Unlike most players on this board, Ramos has consistently underperformed the quality of chances he receives. He has been a below-expectation finisher over a meaningful sample size.

Why He's Gettable: Despite his pedigree, he remains a PSG backup seeking more playing time. That creates a realistic acquisition window.

Primary: New England Revolution

Alternative: San Jose Earthquakes

These players carry more uncertainty than the names above, but offer significant upside relative to cost. In the right environment, they could become both sporting successes and valuable assets.

Production: About 0.71 goals and assists per game — roughly 28 across a 39-game season — against a 20 average for MLS strikers.

Finishing Ability: He consistently outperforms expected goals, which is particularly impressive given his age.

Pedigree: A rising talent already producing within a Premier League environment at just 19 years old.

Market Fit: A major metropolitan area with a strong African and French-speaking African community creates a natural audience for a player of his profile.

Development Risk: At 19, he is the highest-risk player on this list. Young players do not develop in a straight line, and he may require several seasons before becoming a reliable starter.

Why He's Gettable: He currently sits behind more established players at Bournemouth, creating a potential opportunity for a club willing to invest in his development.

Primary: Philadelphia Union

Alternative: D.C. United

Production: The most proven sample on this entire board. While not a goals-and-assists player, Esposito excels at progressing the ball into dangerous areas and controlling matches from midfield.

Data Profile: He ranks in the 89th percentile for progressive passing, averaging 7.13 progressive passes per game across 169 matches. Few MLS midfielders can match that level of ball progression.

Pedigree: An international-quality deep-lying playmaker capable of controlling tempo and improving possession quality.

Market Fit: Italian-Americans remain one of the largest cultural communities in the United States, creating a natural commercial connection.

Marketing Profile: Unlike some of the attacking players on this list, Esposito is a substance signing rather than a highlight-reel signing. His value comes from improving the team rather than generating viral moments.

Why He's Gettable: He currently plays for Sampdoria in Serie B. For a player of his quality, that may represent a market inefficiency MLS could exploit.

Primary: New York Red Bulls or New York City FC

Alternative Comparison: Toronto FC (following the Giovinco, Insigne, and Bernardeschi model)

Three more names worth discussing — a free-agent reclamation project, a low-cost creator with upside, and a market-fit winger who could become a strong commercial and sporting asset.

One important note on diaspora strategy: not all demographic groups convert equally into fan engagement. Older ancestry groups that have been heavily assimilated into American culture may not generate the same response as more recent and highly engaged immigrant communities. That does not eliminate the value of these players, but it does change how much weight should be placed on the market-fit argument.

Production: On paper, Sancho remains one of the most talented ball carriers available. His Dortmund years demonstrated elite creative and attacking ability.

Pedigree: Extensive experience at the highest levels of European football, including the Bundesliga, Premier League, and Champions League.

Market Fit: Sancho's Caribbean heritage aligns well with Toronto, which has one of the largest Caribbean communities in North America. The market fit is real, not forced.

Recent Form: His last several seasons have been disappointing relative to expectations. His production has fallen significantly since his peak Dortmund years.

Reclamation Project: Any club signing Sancho would be betting on a return to form rather than purchasing a finished product.

Why He's Interesting: He is now a free agent, eliminating transfer-fee risk and making the acquisition primarily a wage decision.

Primary: Toronto FC

Production: Nebel's value comes more from chance creation and attacking progression than goalscoring output.

Pedigree: A young Bundesliga player with room to grow and develop.

Market Fit: His German and Irish background creates multiple community connections in major American cities.

End Product: He remains more creator than finisher, making him an upside play rather than an established star.

Development Curve: Clubs would need patience while his final output continues to improve.

Primary: New England Revolution

Other Fits: Chicago Fire, NYCFC, Philadelphia Union

Production: Approximately 0.41 goals and assists per game, combined with elite dribbling ability and strong one-versus-one play.

Pedigree: A Japanese international and one of the most recognizable Asian footballers currently playing in Europe.

Market Fit: Vancouver possesses one of the largest East Asian populations in North America, making it a natural destination.

European Ambition: At 25, Kubo remains firmly in his prime and could still have ambitions of competing at an even higher level within Europe.

Transfer Cost: Real Sociedad would demand a meaningful fee for one of their most marketable players.

Why He's Interesting: Unlike some European stars, an MLS move would not necessarily close the door on a future return to Europe.

Primary: Vancouver Whitecaps

This framework is not hypothetical.

MLS has already demonstrated the ability to identify undervalued talent, develop players, and sell them to Europe at higher valuations.

Atlanta United acquired Almada as a high-potential talent and watched both his production and market value increase during his time in MLS.

He eventually moved to Europe and now plays for Atlético Madrid.

The key takeaway is simple: MLS did not hurt his development. It accelerated it.

Chicago Fire acquired Durán before his breakout, developed him, and sold him to Aston Villa for a significant profit.

His success demonstrated that MLS can function as a legitimate development platform for elite young talent.

Almirón arrived from Argentina with limited global recognition, became one of the league's best players, and earned a move to Newcastle United.

MLS did not simply flip the asset.

It helped create the asset.

Lugo identified the problem and named the solution: win at home by attracting prime talent, identifying undervalued players, and placing them in the right markets.

He also argued that the difficult part is execution.

This article explores what that execution could look like.

The players identified here are not random prospects or speculative bets. They are proven professionals, many of whom remain relevant at the international level and possess profiles that align with both the sporting and commercial objectives outlined in the broader MLS growth framework.

This is not about signing the best available under-25 player and hoping for the best.

It is about identifying a specific type of player:

When paired with the right city and the right community, those players become more than footballers.

They become customer acquisition assets.

That is the core idea.

MLS has already demonstrated an ability to buy undervalued talent, develop players, and sell them to Europe at a profit. The next step may be applying that same framework more intentionally while moving slightly higher up the talent ladder.

The league recently spent a record fee on a 33-year-old superstar to access a specific international market.

The next phase may be investing similar resources into players still in their prime who can simultaneously improve the quality of play, strengthen local engagement, and help convert existing soccer fans into long-term MLS supporters.

That is how the framework becomes reality.

And that may be where the next phase of MLS growth begins.

Further Reading: